August 10, 2011

Categories:

Of all Mitt Romney's position, it's his opposition to same-sex marriage that prompted the president and CEO of New Balance, Rob DeMartini, to pen this apologetic note to staffers and customers about company Chairman James Davis's half-million dollar contribution to the pro-Romney super PAC:

Earlier this year, a private donation was made by our chairman to a political action committee that is affiliated with Mitt Romney. First, let me be clear that this was a private donation and not a contribution from New Balance. We encourage civic engagement at all levels and will always respect the right of any of our associates to engage in the political process as they see fit. We typically do not comment on private political donations; however, this situation is different.

Mr. Romney recently signed a pledge that challenges same-sex marriage and that has offended many, including those in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Mr. Romney’s position on this issue is not reflective of Jim Davis’s, my or New Balance’s position and support of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered community. As a company, New Balance embraces the differences in all people, and we work tirelessly to create and sustain an environment where everyone — our associates, consumers, customers and guests — is treated with dignity and respect.

The effort at damage control comes in response to the gay rights outcry over the contribution and Romney's signature on a pledge opposing same-sex marriage.

LOU COMMENT: Wonder if this Fort Hood, radical Islamic Mutant will be the first terrorist to get the "DEATH PENALITY" in America???---The Palestinian who shot Bobby Kennedy didn’t, El- Spayed Nosier who killed Meir Kahn in New York City didn’t, the Turkish fanatic that tried to kill the Pope didn’t, the people who first attacked the World Trade Center (Sheikh Rag head, Ramzi Yousef, the rest) didn’t, none of the terrorists in GITMO have, most of the geeks involved in attacks in Israel haven’t, why are our Western politicos so scared to execute Islamic terrorists? Meanwhile the American Women’s Movement remains silent about the recent executions in Saudi Arabia of foreign female (slave labor) workers. Last week the maid, Ruyati binti Sapubi, was beheaded with a sword on Saturday after confessing to murdering her boss. Indonesian media reports said she attacked her boss after being denied permission to return home. About 1.5 million Indonesians work in Saudi Arabia - many of them as domestic workers. Anger has been growing in recent years over the treatment of migrant workers - particularly maids, who often complain of horrible mistreatment. Indonesian MPs have called for a ban on workers being sent to the Middle East, after Saudi Arabia executed a maid without informing Jakarta. Indonesia has recalled its ambassador to Riyadh to express its anger. It is regrettable that Saudi Arabia has repeatedly ignored its international obligation to inform related countries about consular affairs their nationals are facing," he said. Indonesia’s ambassador to Riyadh was recalled on Monday for consultations, and officials said they had lodged a strong protest with the Saudi authorities. A crowd of protesters gathered outside the Saudi embassy in Jakarta displaying banners and T-shirts in support of the executed worker. The maid, Ruyati binti Sapubi, was beheaded with a sword on Saturday after confessing to murdering her abusive boss. So the West remains reluctant to execute foreign terrorist, while the cowardly Arabians execute housekeepers…There are more than a dozen other Indonesian workers that are in “death row” in Saudi Arabia, where oh where is our great, insightful news media on this story???

Oh who gives a rat's ass what some company CEO hack who wants to pander to gays and their money thinks?....I find it hilarious that gays existed for centuries without getting married, but now their very existence seems to be imperiled without the old ball n' chain that marriage is...

@2:56pm,....And, how exactly was I "hurt" by helping Mitt Romney...I'll have you know that Mitt Romney has helped my pregnant wife and I out immensely. Romney is a good and decent man...too bad you're so blinded by this lame caricature of Romney that you've created in your own mind, to see what a great man he really is...Oh, well you'll soon wise up when he defeats Obama and this country knows what it feels like to have a real adult in the White House for the first time since the elder Bush...

LOU COMMENT: I have always been a “New Balance” fan, and rather doubt that much of their market is dependent upon the “happy and gay community” who always seems to be more concerned with form (fashion) rather than function. I rather doubt that their loyal, long time consumer, mostly the pragmatic outdoor sporting crowd cares one way or the other about the issue. Like me most of their customers are probably more concerned about their own employment, businesses, investments, family finances, retirement plans, Federal deficits, and our three foreign wars. Hopefully they will not become too apologist about this affair as they do have another competitor that also makes wonderful sport sneakers, and shoes. I won’t give their name as I am hoping that our brainless youth continues to buy fashionable shoes, and sneakers recommended by mindless sport celebrities, and Hollywood trend setters.

RyanT, you were once a respected poster on these forums. As someone who was a Romney supporter in 2008 (that was before my eyes were opened) I thought you could well be an example to the rest of Romney's supporters, for how they could reflect positively on Romney's campaign. Instead it soon became readily apparent you were the same old type of Romney supporter who leaves the vast majority of the voting public, including the GOP, feeling unsettled and uneasy. That's partly why I can no longer support Mitt - I don't think he brings out the best in people. I think he brings out the worst.

Posted By: A leader should inspire, not conspire | August 10, 2011 at 03:30 PM

Oh who gives a rat's ass what some company CEO hack who wants to pander to gays and their money thinks?....I find it hilarious that gays existed for centuries without getting married, but now their very existence seems to be imperiled without the old ball n' chain that marriage is...Posted By: RyanT. ---LOU LAUGHING: RIGHT ON!- Isn’t interesting that for almost four decades the American left, and other radicals have attacked marriage as being an antiquated concept that favored men. Part of this leftist agenda being the result of their support of WELFARE policies that have encouraged women having children without the sanctity, social, economic benefits of MARRIAGE. Then over the following decades with the destruction of the two parent family we are now witness to the “Lord of the Flies” generation that is the byproduct of these moronic policies. An underclass that believes it is entitled to get housing, food, medical care without having to work, and who have no sense of responsibility to themselves, society or their own children. A generation that has been brainwashed to believe that “other people” are responsible for “their own failures” and lack of success in life, and are jealous, and envious of other people’s wealth, and achievements. The anarchy that we have now witnessed in both France, and England, two semi-socialist countries led by, and influenced by Socialist dogma being the most recent examples. A government created insulated, isolated, permanent underclass seething with hostility with the very society that has created them, just like the Frankenstein monster. Would any normal person go to a fruit stand and pick out its worse fruit, so why do we allow immigration policies that do just that when it comes to allowing immigrants into our countries? In the long history of the world has there ever been a time when same sex marriage was legal or considered normal? So now within a decade the European, and American left has totally reversed its position on marriage as being a healthy, and useful institution where two adult individuals commit themselves “in sickness or in health” to love, and support each other until death do them part. Whoopee, marriage is back, GAY MARRIAGE that is...

@Lou, I agree 100%...The left is just trying to destroy marriage from within rather than without...As in before they didn't want anyone to get married, now they want to undermine what marriage has always meant and entailed...

@3:30pm,....I am still the same respectable guy I always was...and once the Republican nomination is secured you'll join me in helping get Mitt Romney elected president and all of the wounds in the primary period will be healed and forgotten...

We shall see, RyanT. It depends on whether Romney actually wins and whether he behaves like a conservative. I have my doubts and they have been proven again and again. Can Romney really change? For the better, I mean. We know he can flip-flop.

RyanT: Glad you find centuries of discrimination so hilarious. Nice to know that me being denied equal rights has given you something to laugh about. Makes it all worth while. No one is trying to destroy marriage you idiot.